So what's your vision of what Jacksonville could be?

[Ocklawaha]

Jacksonville has been in at the other hand of the handout platter for a long time.  So long that the people have forgotten how to work to obtain things.  It, as a city are like those welfare queens people in the media always bash about.  The Navy, the highways, the companies - most of them are in Jacksonville because of what mother nature and the federal government gave it - not because of anything the population did. 

The only major thing the as a population has done so far was beg for them to come to Jacksonville. 

In what way does our population deserve to have a nuclear aircraft carrier?  Is it because of a strong nuclear industry?  Is it because of a strong shipbuilding industry?  Is it because the large amount of nuclear scientists?  Why does Jacksonville deserve a nuclear aircraft carrier other than the fact Mother Nature put the ocean next to it?

Actually Cityimprov, you'd be wrong about us deserving an aircraft carrier.

NAS JAX is the only large military reservation in America that was bought and paid for by the citizens of the city and GIVEN to the NAVY!  I'd call that pretty proactive.

The famous PT (patrol torpedo) boats of WWII fame were indeed created at Huckins Yacht on the Ortega, until that time the Navy didn't have a hull design that could attain those speeds.

Shipbuilding? Yep, Our shipyards serve customers in the following industries, Atlantic Marine/BAE systems has sales of more then $1 billion annually:

Commercial customers, including dredge equipment, research vessels, tugs and barges, cruise ships, offshore rig as well as drilling and support vessels, tankers, containerships and much more

Government customers, including MSC, MARAD, U.S. Navy and various government subsidy vessels

MegaYacht customers, including some of the world's most prestigious private and corporate owned luxury vessels

Industrial customers, including pulp and paper, petrochemical, oil and gas, offshore, marine and power generation

Finally our downtown shipyards turned out dozens of ships throughout WWII, this was done on both sides of the river downtown. The relationship with the Navy, Coast Guard and maritime industries goes deep.

[mtraininjax]

Get up off your couch, bring a friend and make a difference.  Problem solved. 

It's a nice idea, but sadly until that age group feels like they can make a difference and March on City Hall to demand changes, I don't see it happening. MJ has been the most progressive thing to come out of Jax since the FTU swallowed up the Jax Journal, and change takes time. Look at Brown, its taken him almost an entire year to get his administration in order, and he still has yet to really make a difference downtown. If we can ever get the Southbank Riverwalk fixed, that will be progress.

[KenFSU]

Another important question: How do we create synergy between all of the vastly different clusters of this 800 square mile city? Great mass transit is an obvious answer. But what else? The Jacksonville experience to UNF students, for example, is largely limited -- or at least laser focused -- on the areas around campus and the SJTC. The old joke is that those who live at the Jax Beaches do everything possible to stay on the beach and avoid crossing over the intercoastal. Northsiders have everything they need on their end of town. The Mandarin folk have their own amnenities. Ditto the San Marco/Riverside/Avondale crowd. I think a lot of the lack of Jacksonville pride can be attritubed to the fact that the city has little unified identity or synergy, but rather exists more as a dozen largely self-contained clusters connected by miles and miles of highway. There might be a lot going on at any given time, but the size, scale, and spread of Jacksonville makes it seem a lot more dead than it actually is when you're out driving around on a Saturday night. The million dollar question then becomes, how do we shake up all of the individual Jacksonville experiences and create a unified whole that is greater than the sum of the parts?

P.S. This problem is one of the main, underappreciated benefits of having the Jaguars here in Jacksonville. At the very least, our NFL team provides some sort of unifying rallying point for our widely dispersed population. You really can't put a price tag on how valuable that is.

[blandman]

A lot of people I hear from keep saying the same thing. Jacksonville is a boring city, that it just keeps getting more and more dead. Can't say I disagree. Really, if you look around, there's not really anything going on. How can a city attract people to live in it if it's not very entertaining?

I have lived in big cities such as Philly and Pittsburgh and they don't seem much different than here.  Yeah there is more emphasis on the suburbs, but I always find things going on.  I mean it is not going to be Vegas or anything, but there are things to do.

I agree with many of the posters that Jax has plenty to do, you just have to look.  However, having lived and owned a house in the Art Museum neighborhood of Philadelphia, I can't disagree more with your statement that it didn't "seem much different" than Jax.  Are you serious?  I'm not sure I can think of more than 1 or 2 similarities, and they'd be pretty generic.  I've lived in other big cities (London, Tokyo, Atlanta) and I'd say they were also pretty dissimilar.  That's part of my fascination with Jax...it's potential!

[Ocklawaha]

P.S. This problem is one of the main, underappreciated benefits of having the Jaguars here in Jacksonville. At the very least, our NFL team provides some sort of unifying rallying point for our widely dispersed population. You really can't put a price tag on how valuable that is.

Careful Ken, or tomorrow they'll be talking about a new stadium on Talbot Island!

It's a nice idea, but sadly until that age group feels like they can make a difference and March on City Hall to demand changes, I don't see it happening.

Mtraininjax, say it isn't so, my "old hippie" detector just went off.

I can't disagree more with your statement that it didn't "seem much different" than Jax.  Are you serious?  I'm not sure I can think of more than 1 or 2 similarities, and they'd be pretty generic.  I've lived in other big cities (London, Tokyo, Atlanta) and I'd same they were also pretty dissimilar.  That's part of my fascination with Jax...it's potential!

blandman, you've struck at the heart of the "problem." Its not that Jacksonville is similar or dissimilar Philadelphia, any more then it is to Medellin, Bogota, San Francisco or Rough-and-Ready California. The problem is far too many Jaxson's want Jacksonville, to 'be' Philadelphia, Medellin, Bogota etc... Now here's the rub, Philadelphia ISN'T like San Francisco, and Bogota ISN'T Rough-and-Ready and Jacksonville nor any of these other places will ever 'be like' someplace else. In the decades between 1890 and 1930, Jaxson's had a love affair with our city, they called it 'The Queen of the Winter Resorts', and 'The City Beautiful.' We were progressive and likely the most liberal city in the American south, a African-American Sheriff, an abundance of early movie stars and a movement to disallow segregation on our streetcars proves it. Some of us ARE in love with Jacksonville, either for what it was, is, or could be, but it will NEVER be 'Rough-and-Ready, Jacksonville is more then that, IT'S JACKSONVILLE!'.

[Adam W]

blandman, you've struck at the heart of the "problem." Its not that Jacksonville is similar or dissimilar Philadelphia, any more then it is to Medellin, Bogota, San Francisco or Rough-and-Ready California. The problem is far too many Jaxson's want Jacksonville, to 'be' Philadelphia, Medellin, Bogota etc... Now here's the rub, Philadelphia ISN'T like San Francisco, and Bogota ISN'T Rough-and-Ready and Jacksonville nor any of these other places will ever 'be like' someplace else. In the decades between 1890 and 1930, Jaxson's had a love affair with our city, they called it 'The Queen of the Winter Resorts', and 'The City Beautiful.' We were progressive and likely the most liberal city in the American south, a African-American Sheriff, an abundance of early movie stars and a movement to disallow segregation on our streetcars proves it. Some of us ARE in love with Jacksonville, either for what it was, is or could be, but it will NEVER be 'Rough-and-Ready Jacksonville is more then that, IT'S JACKSONVILLE!'.

Just a question - when did people from Jacksonville start being referred to as "Jaxsons?" I've seen that a bit on this forum and personally hate it. But I'd never heard it in the 28 years I lived in Jacksonville. Just curious..

[duvaldude08]

KenFSU, you brought up a great point.  The city needs to expand the young demographic (25 to 34 year olds especially).   

The New York Times article linked below is pretty good (it's 2006 but still good). 
I liked the referencing in the article to the importance of internships. 

So I wonder if there is a way for the city to incentives / encourage local businesses to increase their number of college / graduate school targeted internships?  Heck, the city could help organize and find centralized locations for summer housing for interns coming into town from outside universities.  Network, have a good time in Jacksonville, be around other energetic young people...might pay off.     

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/25/us/25young.html?pagewanted=all

Among the largest Florida cities, Jacksonville has the youngest population...

345.   Fort Lauderdale, Florida Avg. Population Age in Fort Lauderdale, FL   36.1   
394.   Miami, Florida Avg. Population Age in Miami, FL   1,567,681   34.3   
304. West Palm Beach, Florida (   Avg. Population Age in West Palm Beach, Fl  37.2   
401.   Orlando, Florida, Avg. Population Age in Orlando, 33.7   
404.   Tampa, Florida Avg. Population Age in Tampa, FL 33.5   
405.   Jacksonville, Florida Avg. Population Age in Jacksonville, FL 33.4

To Ock's point... there are indeed young people living in Jax, I think the 25-40 year old age group is actually the largest segment (someone will need to check my work).  The key is getting the creative young minds in this city ENGAGED. 

Many young people are indifferent in this city, and frankly that is the single largest problem facing our community today in my honest of opinions. 

Get up off your couch, bring a friend and make a difference.  Problem solved.

You are very correct. I am 30. I love the city and only want the best for it. I also have a friend who is 30. He moved back here from DC a few years back because he had a death in the family. He stays in the core but was getting discouraged with the city. I convinced him to stay. He recently became invovled on the city's enterprise zone committee and I was very excited about that. My generation needs to get involved in order to make this city what we want it to be. The only reason I am not involved is because I work and go to college full time and just don't have any time to devote to it. As soon as I am available, I will find a way to get involved with the city in some capacity.

[Tacachale]

KenFSU, you brought up a great point.  The city needs to expand the young demographic (25 to 34 year olds especially).   

The New York Times article linked below is pretty good (it's 2006 but still good). 
I liked the referencing in the article to the importance of internships. 

So I wonder if there is a way for the city to incentivize / encourage local businesses to increase their number of college / graduate school targeted internships?  Heck, the city could help organize and find centralized locations for summer housing for interns coming into town from outside universities.  Network, have a good time in Jacksonville, be around other energetic young people...might pay off.     

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/25/us/25young.html?pagewanted=all

Among the largest Florida cities, Jacksonville has the youngest population...

345.   Fort Lauderdale, Florida Avg. Population Age in Fort Lauderdale, FL   36.1   
394.   Miami, Florida Avg. Population Age in Miami, FL   1,567,681   34.3   
304. West Palm Beach, Florida (   Avg. Population Age in West Palm Beach, Fl  37.2   
401.   Orlando, Florida, Avg. Population Age in Orlando, 33.7   
404.   Tampa, Florida Avg. Population Age in Tampa, FL 33.5   
405.   Jacksonville, Florida Avg. Population Age in Jacksonville, FL 33.4

To Ock's point... there are indeed young people living in Jax, I think the 25-40 year old age group is actually the largest segment (someone will need to check my work).  The key is getting the creative young minds in this city ENGAGED. 

Many young people are indifferent in this city, and frankly that is the single largest problem facing our community today in my honest of opinions. 

Get up off your couch, bring a friend and make a difference.  Problem solved.

As someone who works in a college, I agree with this 100%. An engaged and invested young population is necessary for any city to reach its potential. Fortunately I see hopeful signs in this regard at UNF.

[Tacachale]

blandman, you've struck at the heart of the "problem." Its not that Jacksonville is similar or dissimilar Philadelphia, any more then it is to Medellin, Bogota, San Francisco or Rough-and-Ready California. The problem is far too many Jaxson's want Jacksonville, to 'be' Philadelphia, Medellin, Bogota etc... Now here's the rub, Philadelphia ISN'T like San Francisco, and Bogota ISN'T Rough-and-Ready and Jacksonville nor any of these other places will ever 'be like' someplace else. In the decades between 1890 and 1930, Jaxson's had a love affair with our city, they called it 'The Queen of the Winter Resorts', and 'The City Beautiful.' We were progressive and likely the most liberal city in the American south, a African-American Sheriff, an abundance of early movie stars and a movement to disallow segregation on our streetcars proves it. Some of us ARE in love with Jacksonville, either for what it was, is or could be, but it will NEVER be 'Rough-and-Ready Jacksonville is more then that, IT'S JACKSONVILLE!'.

Just a question - when did people from Jacksonville start being referred to as "Jaxsons?" I've seen that a bit on this forum and personally hate it. But I'd never heard it in the 28 years I lived in Jacksonville. Just curious..

"Jaxons" is a term for folks from Jacksonville used by the late, great Times-Union writer Bill Foley. Insult his memory at your peril.

[thelakelander]

Our citizens have transformed industry and life twice by giving the world Containerization and the Personal or Home Computer.

We also gave the country the six pack (Jax Brewing Company), the ability to buy automobiles by installments (Claude Nolan Cadillac) and the concept of giving customers back refunds (Cohen Brothers).  The residents of Jacksonville are just as innovative as any other place in the country.  We've just have to find a way to let that innovation and creativity freely flow within a compact setting.

[cityimrov]

Jacksonville has been in at the other hand of the handout platter for a long time.  So long that the people have forgotten how to work to obtain things.  It, as a city are like those welfare queens people in the media always bash about.  The Navy, the highways, the companies - most of them are in Jacksonville because of what mother nature and the federal government gave it - not because of anything the population did. 

The only major thing the as a population has done so far was beg for them to come to Jacksonville. 

In what way does our population deserve to have a nuclear aircraft carrier?  Is it because of a strong nuclear industry?  Is it because of a strong shipbuilding industry?  Is it because the large amount of nuclear scientists?  Why does Jacksonville deserve a nuclear aircraft carrier other than the fact Mother Nature put the ocean next to it?

Actually Cityimprov, you'd be wrong about us deserving an aircraft carrier.

NAS JAX is the only large military reservation in America that was bought and paid for by the citizens of the city and GIVEN to the NAVY!  I'd call that pretty proactive.

The famous PT (patrol torpedo) boats of WWII fame were indeed created at Huckins Yacht on the Ortega, until that time the Navy didn't have a hull design that could attain those speeds.

Shipbuilding? Yep, Our shipyards serve customers in the following industries, Atlantic Marine/BAE systems has sales of more then $1 billion annually:

Commercial customers, including dredge equipment, research vessels, tugs and barges, cruise ships, offshore rig as well as drilling and support vessels, tankers, containerships and much more

Government customers, including MSC, MARAD, U.S. Navy and various government subsidy vessels

MegaYacht customers, including some of the world's most prestigious private and corporate owned luxury vessels

Industrial customers, including pulp and paper, petrochemical, oil and gas, offshore, marine and power generation

Finally our downtown shipyards turned out dozens of ships throughout WWII, this was done on both sides of the river downtown. The relationship with the Navy, Coast Guard and maritime industries goes deep.

I said forgotten because Jacksonville used to do a lot!  Compare what it does today to what it did in the past.  Jacksonville used to create and build new things instead of just fixing them.  Nowadays it just waits for the next contract or the next big thing to happen instead of being proactive and molding it's own future.  It's sad. 

Don't forget, what everyone is arguing here is considered barely normal in other cities.  If you get what you want, the fight still isn't over.  Even more has to be done to just go beyond what is the bare minimum in other places.   If you stop fighting once you get what you want, your no better than the ones that made this mess we have to live with today! 

[Tacachale]

Our citizens have transformed industry and life twice by giving the world Containerization and the Personal or Home Computer.

We also gave the country the six pack (Jax Brewing Company), the ability to buy automobiles by installments (Claude Nolan Cadillac) and the concept of giving customers back refunds (Cohen Brothers).  The residents of Jacksonville are just as innovative as any other place in the country.  We've just have to find a way to let that innovation and creativity freely flow within a compact setting.

We also gave the world these horrible, wonderful things:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGWJbcTvL_M

[JeffreyS]

Jacksonville has great suburbs, historical neighborhoods, Beaches, rivers, office parks, port, rural areas, recreational parks what we do not have is a great urban area.  Five Points, SJTC and the beach have some good urban elements but that is it.  We have good tourist, military, professional and industrial money here.  What is lacking is a real Urban area that would benefit our entire communities quality of life.

Our Downtown has great bones and infrastructure so we can add the missing element to our mix and the will is growing.  We need to make the core easier to do business in with less sign ordinances, parking meters, reduce sidewalk business restrictions and the like.  We need to connect our core better through free skyway and bus ordination. (Streetcar would be great bang for the buck but not an absolute requirement.)  We need some leadership (that I think we are seeing) on making the existing towers engage the city at pedestrian level.

We don't need to beat the mouse we need to have all the QOL options of multiple lifestyles close enough for us to visit then leave the mouse.

[Adam W]

"Jaxons" is a term for folks from Jacksonville used by the late, great Times-Union writer Bill Foley. Insult his memory at your peril.

I would never insult Bill Foley. Even if I think the term is stupid. But I've got nothing (else) against the guy, that I can think of 

[Adam W]

blandman, you've struck at the heart of the "problem." Its not that Jacksonville is similar or dissimilar Philadelphia, any more then it is to Medellin, Bogota, San Francisco or Rough-and-Ready California. The problem is far too many Jaxson's want Jacksonville, to 'be' Philadelphia, Medellin, Bogota etc... Now here's the rub, Philadelphia ISN'T like San Francisco, and Bogota ISN'T Rough-and-Ready and Jacksonville nor any of these other places will ever 'be like' someplace else. In the decades between 1890 and 1930, Jaxson's had a love affair with our city, they called it 'The Queen of the Winter Resorts', and 'The City Beautiful.' We were progressive and likely the most liberal city in the American south, a African-American Sheriff, an abundance of early movie stars and a movement to disallow segregation on our streetcars proves it. Some of us ARE in love with Jacksonville, either for what it was, is, or could be, but it will NEVER be 'Rough-and-Ready, Jacksonville is more then that, IT'S JACKSONVILLE!'.

You know, I totally agree with that sentiment, by the way. I've had this discussion with a number of friends of mine who are artists or whatever who always lament how Jacksonville isn't how they want it to be, etc. I'm not saying that we shouldn't try to improve the city; I'm just saying that we should understand that the city is what it is and maybe the 'vision' a small, vocal segment of the city have for its future might not jibe with what most, ahem...'Jaxsons', desire.

Jacksonville is a good city to live in if you like going to church. And that's not a put-down. That's a fact. And it IS politically conservative. You can try to fight against those sorts of things all day long, but it's just going to wear you out.

I really think the thing that would help the city the most would be to figure out some way (tax breaks or something, anything) to attract businesses downtown. I know BoA has a massive campus on the Southside (I used to work there) and maybe they'll never move. But it would be amazing we could get them downtown. Citibank moved from Baymeadows to Bayard or something. How did we ever let that happen? And the First Coast School of Law shouldn't be in the old Citibank building, it should be right downtown.

Once enough people work downtown, it will make public transport more viable: people will see a benefit to taking the bus over paying for parking. And with dedicated bus lanes, there could be a time savings as well.

I used to live outside Hartford, CT and thought it reminded me of Jax (aside from the insurance thing) in that the downtown would be dead after 5 and on the weekends. The big difference, however, was that it was really busy during office hours. I'd settle for a downtown like that over what Jax has now.

It's not beyond the realm of possibility. The southside grew, in part, because the city offered incentives for businesses to move there. It can be reversed.